Hooton Family

Clara and Abi

2010-02-18T17:46:00.000-08:00

Clara wrote a report for her biography board at school thought you would enjoy it.
Abi scored 2 points and had some steals and lots of rebounds at her basketball game tonight!!
Go Girls!

Hi my name is Clara Ann Hooton. I was born on September 28, 1999 in Memorial Hospital at 4;30 AM. I Iived in South Bend tell I was 2 then we moved to New Carlisle. My family is my Mom, Roanna, my Dad, Mitch, Brianna, my sister, Abi, my other sister, and my brother, Drew. My family likes to travel and go camping. We like to watch movies and play games together. I have 11 fish and a dog named Wrigely. My favorite foods are cucumbers, Twizlers, and pizza. My hobbies are karate, doing crafts, building legos and swimming. I like to play the piano. My favorite song to play is “Let Me Tell You about the Blues”. I have been to many places including Missouri, Oregon, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Florida, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and Colorado. I liked Florida and Colorado the most. In Florida, we went to Disney World. In Colorado, we hiked in the mountains and saw the Royal Gorge. My proud moment was when I got my yellow belt in karate. My something special is my blanket and bear Tiffy. I have had them since I was a baby. I have a collection of teddy bears too. I have been collecting teddy bears since I was 3. I have 17 bears now.

By Clara Ann Hooton.

Christmas Programs

2009-12-14T18:42:00.000-08:00

Drew had his preschool program! He did all the actions didn't sing much.
Brianna was quite the little singer.
Abi's first band concert. She is playing the clarinet. They played pretty well.

Christmas in Chicago

2009-12-10T06:49:00.000-08:00

We had a good time in Chicago. Girls trip, Grandma, Amy, Sara, Roanna, Abi, Clara and Brianna
We went to the Lego store, saw the Macy windows and went out for pizza. Next day, swimming and then home. Whew! Quick trip.

Red Neck Christmas

2009-12-03T05:55:00.000-08:00

Sometime we do things because we don't have time or the money but come on this year we hung the stockings on a piece of yarn with paper clips! Do you think Santa will honor that?

ThanksGiving

2009-12-03T05:49:00.001-08:00

We have so much to be Thankful for... We had a nice relaxing day at home. Mitch and Abi with Drew's help made the turkey. It was the best ever. We ate just as a family, watched the parade, took a nap. The inlaws came up later and we had lots of good pie and played some dominoes.
The way Thanksgiving should be. Drew said, Daddy are we going to carve the roast beast?
too much Grinch?

Drew and Brianna Pictures

2009-11-16T07:46:00.001-08:00

Brianna is in the 1st grade this year. She likes to take math time tests and read. She still loves to play games. She still loves to dress-up and play barbies.
Drew has grown so much in the last few months. He loves school and playing in the mud. He still loves his trains and now eats all the time :)

Halloween

2009-11-02T07:11:00.001-08:00

Clara is a vampire!
Drew and Brianna are pink and blue power rangers.
We went trick-or-treating at the nursing home on Thursday night and then on Saturday night we went into New Carlisle with our friends. It was cold Drew and Bri quit early but we still got lots of candy!!

Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-09T09:29:00.003-07:00

I went with Drew's preschool to the pumpkin patch. We had fun riding in the haywagon and picking out a pumpkin. Drew grabbed the first one he could find. On the way home, all he could talk about was cutting his pumpkin. At home, he got out a table knife and was going to do it himself. When Mitch got home they craved the pumpkin. Drew is tasting raw pumpkin!

2009-10-09T09:29:00.001-07:00

Clara's Birthday

2009-10-09T09:18:00.001-07:00

Clara has always wanted an overhead projector. Mom and Dad found this one when they were moving. I asked if she knew what is was and she said "a smartboard"..... I told her it was an old-fashion one :) They have had so much fun with it. It is incentive to get all the homework and chores done at night.
Clara had a slumber party with friends. They had pizza, played games and giggled alot!!

Signs your kids are growing up

2009-09-25T14:08:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we miss the little clues that our kids are growing older. I do dream of the day when they are all in school but fear I will miss the little things.
Signs:
Abi is going to her first dance and the football game and her parents are not
Clara is having a slumber party and wrote a book about what they would eat and play
Drew is refusing to take naps and prefers to be outside working with his dad and goes right into preschool without saying good-bye to mom
Brianna well she is showing signs the other way around so we won't talk about her :)

I guess you know that the time for kids to be indepedent is coming it just gets here so fast!

Drew's First Day @ Preschool

2009-09-09T11:02:00.001-07:00

Drew didn't cry Mom cheered as she drove away. and he told me they played, ate snack and read a story. Not a bad first day!!

Firsts

2009-09-07T10:06:00.001-07:00

Some exciting firsts in the Hooton household.....
Abigail got her ears pierced and Brianna lost both her top teeth!

End of Summer

2009-08-26T07:47:00.000-07:00

Things have been busy! We started school Abi 6th, Clara 4th, Brianna 1st, froze alot of corn, had two birthdays Drew #4 and Abi #12. The tomotoes are just now starting to get ripe and Kids Klub will start next week.

Colorado Trip

2009-08-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

Pictures #4: Garden of the gods - colorado springs
Picture #3: Hooton's at the royal gourge
Picture #2: Hooton kids hiking and climbing rocks
Picture #1: Resort in rocky mountains - Mountain that Mitch, Dave and Joel climbed

To recap the week:
Sunday: Left home at 5 am, gave Drew chocolate milk around 6:30, 7:00 Drew throws up chocolate milk, eat breakfast at Cracker Barrell, drive then Drew throws up again, Clara crying her ear hurts, Abi coughing alot, get to hotel and go swimming

Monday: take girls to medpoint, Clara ear infection, Abi broncitis, get meds and Drew some dramine, Drive to Julesburg, CO, spending night with great uncle Ralph and great aunt Shirley

Tuesday: drive to Tiny Town Colorado, ride trains and see small village, drive to Palmer lake

Wednesday: Garden of the gods and Focus on the family, stay in house by Ken and Brenda's

Thursday: Royal Gorge

Friday: hiking behind Ken and Brenda's house, drive to reunion, 33 miles into the rocky mountains

Sat: Reunion about 40 people there, hike, play in the stream, eat, take pictures

Sunday: leave around 1 pm I cry :( drive alot and spend night in hotel

Monday: Drive and drive some more finally make it home!

Cedar Point

2009-07-22T07:36:00.001-07:00

Mitch and Abi went with the youth group to Cedar Point. Abi is in the picture with her friend Abby. Mitch said he got sick on the first ride and was wiped out by 4:00! Abi had fun rode most of the rides, ate $7.50 dip in dots, and said rapture was her favorite ride. The weather was perfect! Longest line was around hour. next year I get to go!

Fun in July

2009-07-20T05:21:00.000-07:00

In spite of the cooler weather and not really swimming, we have been having a fun July. The middle girls play "journey" outside for hours. Not sure exactly what it is but they pack backpacks full of stuff and set up shop outside. I will try and get a picture this week. Drew tags along most of the time. Abi is sleeping in most mornings and has been a big help this summer, watching her brother and sisters, picking the garden and yes doing the dishes which she hates. I just tell her I had to wash and dry the dishes not just unload them. Yesterday went to see high school musical the play in michigan city. It was well done. The leads were college kids and they could actually sing pretty well. the whole last week the kids went to vbs every night. They did a market place, an underground church and had tents for bible story time. This week we will be getting ready for the big trip (leaving next Sunday), Abi and Mitch are going to cedar point on Tuesday with the youth group, it is the big home town days of NC, lots of garage sales to go to, parade and a photobooth on Sat night. Want to come to my house :)

Birthdays

2009-07-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

July has flown right by and I know we are half way through the summer when my birthday gets here. Decided not to do anything today, no stress, no running around, just lawn chair, diet dr. pepper, a new book and the kids leaving me alone. Can't ask for more than that.
Got a new coffee pot it is the fancy stainless kind with the thermal pot. Should be making some good coffee in the morning. Enjoying dropping the kids off at vbs this week. not having to help.
have the vacation plans all set. so the next week should be busy busy. but we love it.

Ohio Lake House

2009-06-29T17:36:00.000-07:00

The kids and I (mitch had to work) got to go to my sister Karla's new lake house in Apple Valley.
My other sister Sara and my brother Joel were there too. I met my new neice Lily for the first time what a cutie. We had a great time swimming, eating, riding the boat and getting thrown off the tube (Ok that was just me :)
Can't wait to go back...

Brianna summer sports

2009-06-29T17:30:00.000-07:00

our little Brianna is turning into quite the athlete. she played t-ball, basketball and took swimming lessons this June.

You know it is summer when.......................................

2009-06-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

You can wake up before the kids
you can't get the kids in bed before 10 pm
kids need baths every night
you catch toads outside
the garden is growing
playing outside
playing school
kids we are bored and you offer housework for them to do
eating smores by the fire pit
grilling out at least 3 times a week
popsicles

What would you add to the list??

Abi end of an era

2009-06-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

Abi graduated from 5th grade this year! Middle school here we come! She got awards for being on A/B honor roll all year, sports awards, choir and young astronauts.

Summer Fun already

2009-05-28T07:41:00.000-07:00

We have been having some summer already. The big tractor was parked next to our house in the field. Of course, Drew had to go look at it. I took the kids to the zoo on memorial day. It was the best time the animals were all awake. Mitch decided to hand a tree swing for the kids. It is really high and boy do they swing!! Should provide plenty of entertainment this summer.

I want to go too.

2009-05-18T17:28:00.000-07:00

We drove past a cemetery today and Clara started this conversation about death and heaven. Drew found out that all his sisters were going to heaven and he wanted to go too. I said do you want to ask Jesus into your heart. He said yes and repeated the prayer with me. Yeah!!

The Tree Hit Me

2009-05-07T05:57:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when a tree hits you!! from Drew

Power Rangers

2009-04-29T06:32:00.000-07:00

My son lives in this costume! Sleeps, fights and plays! At least he knows what color it is!

Garage sale find

2009-04-29T06:25:00.000-07:00

Sometime you go to garage sales and all you find is junk. This year at the local neighbor sale we found a treasure. Gameboys (the older version) for $5 each. We had been looking on ebay and they are still selling for $40+ so we got two plus games for $10! This is all they did all weekend.
Should make summer trips more enjoyable! (for mom and dad :)

Brianna is 6

2009-04-18T11:13:00.003-07:00

Brianna turned 6 on April 17th. We had her party that night. We had pizza and sherbert punch.
The theme was Barbie of course. Look at the cake made by.......... Mitch. I made the frosting but he made the cake and decorated it. She got two barbies, barbie car, barbie pool, little pet shop cat, umbrella, lunch box, swimsuit, and more clothes.

2009-04-18T11:13:00.001-07:00

Easter

2009-04-18T11:10:00.001-07:00

We spent a nice Easter at home! Clara was feeling much better. Sara and Kris came to church with us and then we had lunch. We played rock band. We had made alot of stuffed eggs (100) to take to Karla's but since that didn't work out my kids got to find them all! Mitch hid them all in the yard. It was a beautiful day!

How the Hootons are spending spring break

2009-04-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

well, as murphy's law goes, if you plan something fun and plan it far enough in advanced something is going to happen to change those plans. Clara changed our plans. poor Clara. Last Friday, she called me from school complaining about a headache. I told her just drink some water school will be over soon (not the best mothering I've ever done) by Friday night she was in bed with a fever. Saturday fever not eating not moving much. Sunday same thing, Sunday night the dreaded words "my back hurts" that is the same signs from the last time she had pneumonia over Christmas.
I told Mitch we need to go the the emergency room. So at 9:00 pm we went. x-rays and waiting we find out yes pneumonia and her white blood cell count through the roof. So, we admitted.
Because this was her second time, they ran all sorts of tests to see if something else was causing the pneumonia. Praise God those tests all came back fine. This morning we had another x-ray and things were improving so we got to come home. This week I have cried, stressed, prayed and then saw a little girl there who obviously was having chemo done she was about 3 and decided that I needed to count my blessing that my little girl only had pneumonia and that she was going to be ok in the long run!! continue to pray for Clara that she would eat and get strong so that bug does not come back! Thanks to all who helped us during this time.

What will it be like this summer?

2009-03-31T12:41:00.000-07:00

and yes I am ready for summer and just my kids at the house. Brianna starts t-ball next month, Clara wants to take karate, Abi is going to try out for the Plymouth girls basketball league, Drew is going to play outside alot! Swimming lessons, basketball camp, photobooths every weekend, camping trip?, visits to karla's lake cottage, colorado trip, full garden and flower beds this year, and then back to school!! Drew will even start preschool this year. Yes sometime I get ahead of myself but I am going to try and enjoy every minute of it. Pictures next time promise.

Spring Cleaning Children's Rooms

2009-03-20T12:33:00.000-07:00

My rules for spring cleaning......
one bring lots of trash bags, first throw things away when your children are not at home!!
the second bag for goodwill should be taken there on the sly! Keep bag in car for a few days to see if they remember something that is not there any more. And if so tell them too bad and see if they cry!!
Third bag give away as much as possible. Somebody will want some of the 20+ shirts your daughter has in her drawer.
And last cleaning rule threaten them that those rooms much stay clean at least until you go to bed that night :)

Happenings at the Hootons round 3

2009-03-08T14:41:00.001-07:00

Drew and the girls. I now watch two other little girls on Tues and Wed. One Kaylee is Drew and Victoria's age. On Tuesday, we have craft time. They made paper bag dog puppets.
Drew is know at the why stage. He talks non-stop. He is now completely potty trained. Preschool here we come!!

Happenings at the Hootons round 2

2009-03-08T14:32:00.001-07:00

Abi has been playing basketball. She plays forward and shoots alot of baskets! She does actually make some points. They have won about 1/2 of their games. The Rolling Prairie girls play some mean ball. Trying to get her on a summer league to improve her game.
She has also been in choir at school they practice on Fridays. This Sat. they had their big concert with about 200 kids from northern IN. Mitch and I went to the concert then took her out to eat.

Happenings at the Hootons

2009-03-08T14:24:00.001-07:00

Clara did her science project on pneumonia. Mitch and Clara invented lungs that you could inflate using a balloon pump, balloons a 2 liter bottle and a nose sucker! Mitch aka MacGyver!
Clara got a third place ribbon!!

TV Land

2009-02-24T07:05:00.000-08:00

Where have we been?? Well, at least life is busy!! For years now, we have avoided the whole dish tv thing. But since the switch to digital tv viewing has been painful! Digital tv is jumpy and the sound cuts in and out. So, we have joined most americans and got the dish. The kids were so excited and Mitch stayed up till past midnight. Is it a look into the future.........
My favorite show on cable (which up until now I have only watched on dvd) was on last night. So, I settled in and promptly feel asleep right in the middle of show. Is DVR next???

What little boys are made of.......

2009-01-30T06:19:00.000-08:00

Well at our house it would be poop! Drew is obessed with the word poop. It is poopy toys, poopy books, poopy mommy or daddy and then he laughs hysterically. The other night Mitch told him to eat his broccoli buds and he said broccoli butts and then laughed about it for 5 min +. And yes he finally did eat it. Abi said mom is this just a phase and I said I sure hope so but then again boys just turn into bigger boys!!

Power Rangers Invade our House

2009-01-27T08:02:00.000-08:00

We broke down and let Drew watch power rangers. Now all the kids are enjoying running and kicking and saying who is what color. Do I understand the fascination? not really but it is cheap entertainment. Mitch made the paper masks and they have had more fun!!
Also built snow fort and road snowmobiles this past week. Abi started basketball practice.

Mitch reads a book

2009-01-13T06:40:00.000-08:00

During these cold days of winter, Mitch decided to read a book!! It was the Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck. It even made him cry! Need a good read check it out.

We Survived!

2009-01-05T05:45:00.000-08:00

Yes, we did survive the holidays but just barely. Started out great, had a little snow kids went sledding, watched movies, got things ready for Christmas. Christmas Eve had the Hootons over, kids had a great time playing. We played all the new games we got including the wii. We ate lots of food. Clara that day complained of earache I gave her some medicine and didn't think much of it.
Christmas day we had the whole day to ourselves. Clara was sick in bed all day running high fever. She opened her presents but that was about it. We had fondue and watched movies and played games all day. Friday morning we had the ice storm and everything was a sheet of ice. Clara was still very sick decided to take her to immediate care because my sister and family were due in town for the weekend. Things moved slow all over town including the clinic after 4 hours they told us she had pneumonia in her right lung and needed to go to the hospital. We then took her to the hospital. Clara could not even walk on her own. We had a rough night and Sat. was not much better. Thank goodness my family was around to help watch the other kids. She got to come home Sunday night was still pretty sick until about Friday/Saturday. Today she is feeling much better and getting stir crazy from being inside so much.
Maybe things this week will back to normal whatever that is!!
At least the kids go back to school :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2008-12-21T14:15:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! From the Hootons
Abigail age 11, 5th grade
Clara age 9, 3rd grade
Brianna age 5, Kindergarten
Drew age 3
Mitch and Roanna

Abi Christmas Program

2008-12-16T06:03:00.000-08:00

Abi had her Christmas program at school this past Thursday. She is the one to the far left.
Yes she is wearing dress clothes and a princess crown :) All those girls were suppose to be beauty queens. They were doing a song for a "old-time radio show". I think she is getting the singing bug from her mother! We were so proud of her.

Computer Crash

2008-12-05T03:44:00.001-08:00

We had a computer crash that is why there is few postings. We are back-up now. We still have snow and lots of cold weather. Mitch is losing work at Richards because of it. Pray that handyman business will pick-up a little to fill in the gaps. The kids have enjoyed sledding. Drew does a running belly-flop on the sled and does he go fast. Speaking of Drew he actually pooped in the potty last night maybe just maybe he will be completely potty trained by Christmas. I guess that is merry christmas to me!!

Now this is lake effect

2008-11-21T06:13:00.000-08:00

ok You never really believe the weather guys when they say we are going to get 6-10 inches in one night because they can't really predict lake effect snow. Well this time they were right and we were in just the right direction of it. All school around us only had a delay we got cancelled. Helped dad shovel his way out, kids are out sledding again. Me, I might just get to enjoy one cup of coffee before it goes cold. I am thankful for the little things most of the time.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

2008-11-18T06:28:00.000-08:00

I have to remind myself that it is not even Thanksgiving yet. We got some snow here. Enough that the kids played outside, I had to dig out all the boots, snowpants etc... and they are begging for new sleds. We had a two hour delay today. It is going to be a long winter.

Halloween

2008-11-06T06:39:00.000-08:00

Halloween in 70 degree weather can't beat it! We had a 50s waitress, a princess, a volleyball player and a dog. The dog decided he should crawl up the driveways :) We went to a friend's subdivision and to the nursing home to trick-or-treat. Then on Monday they asked where did all the chocolate candy went?? Can anyone guess who ate it??

Tuesday Morning Snow

2008-10-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

You know you live in northern IN when you wake up to snow in October!
The little kids wanted to make a snowman so we did.

Fall Events

2008-10-20T10:57:00.000-07:00

October is one of my favorite months. We took all the church kids on a hayride on Wed. night. Cleaned out the garden we still have green peppers growing! Took the kids to the pumpkin patch and corn maze. See pumpkins above Mitch said if they could carry it they could buy it. Can you tell who's whos?? Had Fun night at Olive Elementary the kids had a good time playing games, singing karkoke and dancing with strobe lights.
Made two big pots of chili took one to Kris and Sara on moving day and had small group at our house with the other. Took a walk in the woods out at the high school. I had never been down suicide hill now I know why they call it that. Raking walnuts out the yard. I got Drew and Victoria to help me! This weekend Mitch and I are helping Karla shoot family pictures and we are leaving the kids at home! Next week we plan to go to the local nursing home where grandpa used to live and trick-or-treat. The residents love it and then on Friday we are going to a friends's subdivision to trick or treat. Abi decided this year she is too big to dress-up, the middle girls are going to be princess and Drew is going to be Bob the Builder.

Abi - Volleyball

2008-10-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

Abi is playing volleyball this year. They have a total of 4 games. Went to one last night, her team won their match. She even hit over the winning point!!

Clara's 9th Birthday

2008-10-07T07:36:00.001-07:00

Clara had her family party we served sloppy joes ice cream cake and pumpkin whoppie pies. She got legos, cd player, clothes, Camp Rock.

The next Friday night she had a slumber party with 4 girls spending the night. Not sure how much sleep they really got!!

Clara now has her own room and boy does she love it. She disappears for hours at a time playing legos and polly pockets.

Sunday Paper Front Page

2008-10-07T07:33:00.000-07:00

Look who made the front page of the South Bend Tribune this Sunday!!

Uncle Ed's 70th Birthday

2008-10-05T11:50:00.000-07:00

It's Raining It's Pouring

2008-09-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

We got a little rain over the weekend. Well, more than a little. On Saturday there was a two hour window with no rain and it was nice out so I let the kids play in the mud! They had a great time..... had to use the hose to spray them down when we were done.

Pictures of kids of course

2008-09-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

I always seem to posting pics of the kids but these are the "official pictures" of the year.
The individuals were taken at the beach by Karla and the group shot was done by me (the non-professional) Anyway they are growing up........

this is easier???

2008-08-28T10:37:00.001-07:00

I thought when the girls went back to school things would get easier around here. Was I ever wrong! Notice the not blogging too often, I have been busy just getting the kids ready for school, dealing with a kindergartener who doesn't want to go to school, the homework of 5th grade, volleyball practice, childcare for extra kids, canning tomatoes, green peppers, green beans, starting up of kids klub at church, helping run pto at the school, starting extra work at the library....
need I say more!!
No one should ask me what I am going to do with all my "free" time!!!!
Don't work too hard this labor day

Back to School

2008-08-13T05:31:00.000-07:00

Up and Ready to go by 7 am. The girls were excited about the first day of school.
Abi 5th grade, Clara 3rd grade and Brianna Kindergarten!!
Ready or not here we come!!

End of July

2008-08-13T05:17:00.000-07:00

End of July came and went so quickly! We had Karla and the kids here for a week, Joel and Kendall came, left Ollie for 5 days with us and grandma and then came back. We had a great time catching up, playing with the kids and of course eating. How many nights did we have corn of the cob?? I lost count :) I love having family around and wish everyone lived closer
some pictures of the kids.....

Chicago and Kirkendall Visit

2008-07-22T15:02:00.001-07:00

Busy, Fun weekend. Megan and Kyle came to our house Friday with my mom. We went swimming and played and ate! Don and Vicki came Saturday afternoon. Learned a new game called garbage.
Sunday morning we got on the South Shore train for Chicago at 7:50 (our time) all day we had to remember that Chicago is an hour behind us. The train ride takes 2 hours. We arrived at millinuim park and saw the art and the fountain. We then boarded a free trolley that took us to navy pier. We took a 30 min. boat ride that showed the chicago skyline. It was relaxing. The weather was perfect all day. We then went to get pizza at Giordinos of course we had the stuffed pizza. I think Mitch and Don ate about 6 pieces each!! Then we walked by the sears tower and back to the park (after ice cream at mcdonalds) Train ride home I think everyone fell asleep at least I did!!
Monday we just relaxed (well we did have 8 kids in the house so I am not sure how relaxing that is :) the weather cleared up and we went swimming and the kids played carpet pool and card games. Brianna is learning skip-bo so watch out!!
next week..... Joel, kendall, karla and families come to visit and the big Burger reunion that we are in charge of......

Dog Days of Summer

2008-07-17T06:18:00.001-07:00

Not sure why they call them dog days but we have been busy. Took a trip to Karla's over the 4th. Had a good time eating, shopping, playing with the kids even took time to watch a movie.
Came home for one day and then went camping at Potato Creek with the in-laws and then with our small group. We ate hobo dinners, smores, played 10,000 when it rained and tried to keep up with the kids.
The kids had fun riding bikes, playing at the playground, swimming, playing uno and whiffle ball.
We bought a new tent this year and we had plenty of room for all of us.
now for the next adventure a trip to chicago with cousins.

Hooton Boys on the Job

2008-07-01T03:38:00.000-07:00

Mitch decided to change the oil in his truck at home. Drew decided to help.

Breakfast Cereal

2008-06-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

OK my one weakest in life besides coffee is cereal! When we were young I remember dad eating it for snack even a meal. I have since picked up on that habit. Well, my favorite cereal is always been lucky charms or cocoa puffs. (not the generic :) yesterday I bought chocolate chex and decided it is my new favorite there is a recipe on the back for chocolate chex latte snack mix and a free package of the latte mix is included. made that and it is delicious!! so now I can enjoy coffee and cereal and the same time!! Try it you may like it too :)

Busy Summer Days

2008-06-17T05:42:00.001-07:00

Spent a morning at the beach with the Wykoff family, stared swimming lessons, Clara learned to ride a bike without training wheels, Drew mows the lawn with his "tractor", pulling lots of weeds from the garden, visits to the library for Brady Bunch DVDs, playdates with friends, morning chores and homework (the kids love this :) t-ball games and sometimes a little rest!!
Happy Summer!!

Whose Kid is this??

2008-06-03T12:43:00.001-07:00

Have you ever seen a kid and thought what were his parents thinking??
This picture is the perfect example........

Ohio visit and Fort Wayne Zoo

2008-06-03T12:36:00.001-07:00

Enjoyed spending time with Don/Vicki and kids. Had a great day for Jason's graduation party.

Enjoyed Sunday at Fort Wayne zoo. The weather was perfect. kids loved all the animals

Drew and Mitch looking at the monkeys!!

Bri graduates from preschool

2008-05-21T05:20:00.000-07:00

We had graduation yesterday. The kids sang songs and got their diplomas. Notice the graduating year Yikes!! We found out yesterday that they are going to have all day kindgarten. So she will be gone next year sniff sniff! How fast they grow.

May Pics

2008-05-12T10:24:00.000-07:00

Brianna and I at the mother's day tea at preschool.
Trip to the zoo.

Things to remember

2008-05-12T10:18:00.001-07:00

Remember when we used to make May Day cups filled with candy and then set them on peoples doorsteps, ring the bell and run away.... Wonder if people still do that and would you eat candy if you did not know who left it there??

When Karla and I will kids we made our own museum of sorts. We took all of our stuffed animals and trinkets from our room and set them up in the yard. We then hung signs around town telling people to come look at our stuff for a fee of course (that must of been karla's idea!
I had to remember something I did with my siblings when I was young at small group that is the story I shared. Anyway the kids heard it then after we took them to the zoo. They created their own zoo with stuffed animals. They didn't charge me to come see it though!!

Remember when the school year was ending and how excited you were to be on break. What did we used to do all day? I remember weeding the garden, playing in the yard with neighbor kids, riding my bike to the swimming pool, taking swimming lessons.. Anything else??

Spring Fever

2008-04-30T07:55:00.001-07:00

Well spring has sprung...... Brianna started t-ball this past week, Clara had a musical at school, Drew got the summer hair cut! Abi is now learning to cook she made spagetthi and meatballs last night! Tonight is our last night for kids club at church. So we are ready for summer break.
By the way we are renaming our wednesday night clubs any ideas on names would be appreciated.

Brianna's 5th Birthday

2008-04-23T06:29:00.001-07:00

Sunday we had Bri's birthday party. She had 5 friends and 3 cousins here. We played games outside then it got too cold, opened presents, ate cupcakes with white and green frosting that Daddy made! Played a few games inside and then everyone went home! She of course got lots of girl toys, clothes and her favorite a Disney Sorry game from Aunt Sara. I think I have played it 5-6 times already. Thanks everyone! My little girl is growing up and ready for kindgarten already.

IN Earthquake

2008-04-18T05:45:00.000-07:00

I felt an earthquake this morning. My dresser was shaking and the house felt like it was moving.
It was 5:30 this morning. At first I thought it was a big truck and then it lasted too long. I told Mitch about it and later he called me and said there had been an earthquake in Ill and we felt the effects here!! Something to talk about in northern IN!!

running

2008-04-07T18:52:00.000-07:00

I am sore! I should of never stopped running after Christmas! Next year I am joining some exercise group for the winter. Getting back into shape is no fun!! The weather was great we here in northern IN enjoyed the sun today. I should be back up to my 2 miles in no time right??

Do all men do this?

2008-04-03T14:31:00.000-07:00

Do all men read while they are on the throne??

Easter

2008-03-25T05:47:00.001-07:00

The crazy weekend!
Friday we dyed eggs. The oil based dye is really messy! The girls enjoyed it though. Then we cleaned house all day.
Sat. we finished getting the house ready and then Mitch and I went on a date! We went to see Blast at the Morris Civic. It was like a marching band on stage the drum line stuff was really cool! We then went out to dinner (sit down) and shopped and had starbucks! It was a perfect date.
Then Sunday, we got to church early. Abi and two other kids from our puppet troupe did a puppet show (using the egg story) in the church services. Abi does a great job with the puppets she has the voice for it. I sang too. I sang Come to the Cross by MWS.
We then had 30 people over for lunch at 3 pm. Well, mom did most of the work!
We had all the Hootons, Davis family and Schrock family.
Sara and I hid over 100+ eggs for the kids. I put money in them this year so they were all excited.
Now if the weather would just turn nice it would feel like spring!!

How Starbucks saved my life

2008-03-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

Imagine we are all the same. Imagine we agree about politics, religion adn morality. Imagine we like the same types of music, art, food and coffee. Imagine we all look alike. Sound boring?
Difference need not divide us. Embrace diversity. Dignity is everyone's human right
published on the side of a cup of Starbucks Decaf Grande Cappuccino

Read How Starbucks Saved my life by Michael Gates Gill
Meet a man who had everything power-job, wife, kids, big house, meeting all sorts of celebrities till one day the company decided he was too old and fired him.
10 years later after floundering and living on his savings, he accidently landed a job at Starbucks.
of course, I love coffee so I loved the "coffee talk" in the book. But the true story is one that shows the best work is work where you make other people happy.

(This is not a sappy book and an easy read!)

Sickness and Singing

2008-03-02T15:55:00.000-08:00

We had a little sickness around the house this past week. Not only did we have two snow days the girls missed Friday too. Brianna had broncitis, Clara had double ear infection and Abi got pink eye.
Drew is healthly and active as a horse.
Saturday Abi and I went to a Circle the State with song. She tried out for this choir at school and has been practicing every Friday after school. It is where area choirs gather to sing a few numbers with a professional director and pianist. We went to Goshen College. Their hall was amazing for sound. There were about 400 kids in the choir. She spent the whole day singing and getting vocal training lessons. I sat and listened in the back. We will get a copy of the dvd to show off.
Have a great week.

water balloons, shaving cream and a razor!

2008-02-20T10:13:00.000-08:00

What do these all have in common?? Mitch and I (and a few other adults) took 25 kids to a event called Cabin Fever. The kids swim, play on inflatables and go to a big concert. This year they brought in Kid Blitz Live. The guy plays crazy games with the audience and teaches the kids important lessons along the way. Anyway, he asked for a husband to volunteer his wife, so of course Mitch volunteers me. Well I go up and then Mitch has to come up to. I get to hold a water balloon over his head with shaving cream on it. Abi then gets to come up and shave the cream off! We were racing against another family. We lost but Mitch still got wet!! It was a fun day.

Hooton Girl #6

2008-02-18T06:59:00.001-08:00

Oh yes 6 Hooton Girls. Kailee Ann Hooton was born to Matt and Dana Hooton (Mitch's brother) on Feb. 13th. So here is how it plays out Abi 10, Clara 8, Bella 6, Brianna 4, Jillian 2, and Kailee

What will we do when the weddings start!

Those Hooton Boys don't stand a chance :)

Science Fair Winners

2008-02-11T11:19:00.001-08:00

Abi did her project on roller coasters. She and Mitch created a cool marble roller coaster (idea given by GSmith). All the kids loved it at school. She got a third place ribbon.

Clara did her on Mars. She and Roanna created a paper mache Mars. She got a third place ribbon too.

We looked at old movies last night boy do they grow up fast!!

Two girls watching the super bowl?

2008-02-04T04:47:00.000-08:00

last night spent the evening watching the super bowl with Abi. Actually we watched the commercials until the 4 quarter. When two people watch football that know nothing about football here are some questions that come up..... why do they wear such tight pants?, why do some kicks score 3 points and others don't, how many points for a touch down, why doesn't the quarter back play all the time, and last but not least what is a first down?
Well, we did enjoy the game and I was a Giant fan for one night having to root on the Manning boy and the underdog.
And all the commercials were terrible I still remember the one where the heart came out of the lady and walked down the hall. I was hoping I would forgot that one!
Have a great week.

I've Got the Music in Me

2008-01-31T08:14:00.000-08:00

My kids seemed to have inherited some love of music. Drew dances to music with spoons. Maybe he will be a drummer. Brianna puts on skirts and dances like she is in high school musical. Abi is doing great on the recorder and the piano. Clara likes to dance too. didn't get a pic of her. I'm going to sing this Easter at church any ideas??

Snowing here again. Mitch is going in for root canal today. Got my taxes in to tax people.

Hopefully some good will come of all of it. Enjoy the super bowl!

January Where is the humor in that?

2008-01-23T09:24:00.000-08:00

Joel as a girl, Sara as a boy!! And they still turned out OK :)

Karla posing her first family picture.

Found these pics the other day thought they might make you laugh.

Watched a Christian comedy yesterday and he said he has two rules to live by

1. Life is too short not to laugh

2. Life is too long not to laugh

I am trying to inject humor in my life. Like Drew greeting me naked at 6:00 AM wanting breakfast. Like Clara doing her funny dances and saying Dude. Like Abi telling me details of what happens at school. Like Brianna playing dress-up all day long.

What makes you laugh??

2007 in Review

2008-01-09T07:46:00.001-08:00

This is my Christmas letter and a yeah we are all well!! Welcome to any newcomers!

We had the privilege of going to DisneyWorld this Christmas! It was a blast! The weather was gorgeous around 70 all week and no rain! We saw all the shows, rode the rides and were plain exhausted by the time we got home! We traveled with Mitch's family (13 all together), traveling went well and we all good along :) The girls got to go to a Princess breakfast and meet all the princess. Brianna was in awe!

Spent the next few days at Karla's with all the Smith's. Got to meet Oliver for the first time what a cutie! Kids got presents and played Thomas the train and WII.

Other 2007 news:

Abigail: 4th grade is starting to be involved in lots of things at school, student council, young astronauts, circle the state (a choir group that will perform at Goshen College later this year), piano lessons (not from mom this year) and this year we started a puppet/drama group at church for 4th-6th grade, Abi is great at the puppets! This summer she did swimming lessons, basketball and volleyball camps. Abi is getting good on the computer and even has her own email account abihoot@yahoo.com Now she wants to blog too we'll see! Next thing you know she will want a cell phone and a car!!

Clara: 2nd grade.... Is our artist, she loves to draw, play legos and write..... She took swimming lessons this summer. She is starting to read chapter books and loves math! She is taking piano from mom and is doing really well. She even loved the roller coasters at Disney! Clara likes to listen to music and dance too.

Brianna: 4 years old.. is in a pre-K class Mon, Tues, Wed. Is my big helper with the little ones at home. She likes to play dress-up rarely at home do you find her in her regular clothes. She likes to do crafts and watch movies (usually princess ones) also she can sing and dance to every song in High School Musical! She is big girl in a little girl size (Drew now out weighs her)

Next fall onto kindergarten!

Drew - age 2, Drew is all boy, he loves trains, outside, jumping and climbing, and loves watching Bear in the Big Blue House... He talks all the time and rarely slows down for anything. He will sit for a book or two. He is up at 6:30 am everyday and has chocolate milk to get him started!

I caught him today going outside saying he was going to work for Hoots (his dad's business)

maybe one day soon he can!!

Roanna: age 30? I never slow down either unless I have a good book to read... I still babysit for the one little girl (school year only), work at the library doing a storytime for babies, help with S&S photography business (when my grandpa passed away this past spring had to be the second photographer at a few weddings scary!!), took the kids camping for a week at Potato Creek, help run the Kids Wednesday program at church including the puppet team, PTO treasurer and still find time to read once in awhile.

Mitch: age pushing 40 - He is still successully running his own business Hoot's Handyman and stays pretty busy (bathrooms, roofs, mowing etc...) He works part-time for Richard's Home Center, plows snow when we get it, worked all the home ND games for NBC, helps his brother out with his audio business. He helps with our Wed night programs this year he is teaching the 4-6th graders. In his free time he likes to play fantasy sports on the internet and watch movies!

Sending our love and thanks through this blog. Hope to hear from everyone!

Happy New Year.... Mitch, Roanna, Abigail, Clara, Brianna and Drew (The Hootons)

Florida and Stomach flu round 2

2008-01-01T13:05:00.000-08:00

At this time I should be posting beautiful pictures of Disney and Christmas with my family but truthfully I am just plain exhausted! Disney was great I will post pics soon but a whole week, going to every park, seeing every show and carrying tired kids drained me. Then we left right away for Ohio had a good two days there until the little two caught the stomach flu bug. After that it has been get home, do 15 loads of laundry, clean the house, take down Christmas stuff, do the bills, try to stay awake for New Years Eve and rest!!
So stay well, happy new years, and I will post beautiful pics and great stories later !

stomach flu, hole in the ceiling, and pretty boy

2007-12-13T06:37:00.000-08:00

let's see to get everyone caught up......
Abi, Clara and I all had a 12 hour stomach flu bug, They got to miss school I gotto lay on the couch.
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We had a mushy spot in the kitchen area and Mitch got around to finding the problem on Tuesday, it was the vent pipes in the attic. long story short they got fixed so now we will have to patch the hole!
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Pretty Boy Drew, he is now into doing his hair and putting on Bod Spray. He got into Mitch's last night and boy did he smell "good" The girls said he smelled like Uncle Kris :)
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We are going to see Christmas lights this weekend, packing for Disney, the girls have a Christmas program at church on Sunday and we are going to help celebrate Grandpa Burger's 95th birthday.
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decorating the "tree"

2007-12-03T12:19:00.000-08:00

Boys are the strangest. We decorated the tree this weekend. Well, today I was changing Drew's diaper and had to go get the phone. He was running around naked and when I looked up he was hanging an ornament from his penis! I am not quite sure what he was thinking!
Wanted to take a picture but thought boy would he kill me when he is a teenager!

Thanksgiving

2007-11-27T07:49:00.000-08:00

We are thankful for our new computer of course!!
We are thankful for healthly and happy kids.
We are thankful for our home and family nearby.
We are thankful for the opportunity to work from home.
We are thankful for the great Thanksgiving dinner at the Davis' home.
I was thankful for coconut cream pie!!
We are thankful for snow!

We are keeping a busy schedule between now and Chirstmas. I will try and post some pics soon lost the good Halloween ones in the computer crash. Look for my Christmas want list soon to come :)

Hoot's Handyman

2007-11-01T11:27:00.000-07:00

Our business has been in existence for one year! Haven't written much about it and have not been keeping up with the Hoot's blog (so don't look there). Decided to write because this has been a record month for us! Mitch worked really all summer non-stop and then this month we had some great accounts. We are starting to get repeat business and adding new clients every week! We stopped advertising and are just relying on word of mouth.
He dropped the one part time job and doesn't look like he will have to pick it up again until after Dec. Good thing the lawn mowing season is ending that made things crazy!
He does some work for Matt with One Way Audio, cleans the church every other month, works Richards 2 days a week, 7 Sat. at ND and on top of that Hoot's has been busy.
We are praising the Lord and thanking all of you for your support. Starting a small business is not an easy step but it has been worth it. Mitch is enjoying everyday and only feels the pressure when there is too much work to do. Pray that the winter months will be a little easier this year and that our business will continue to grow.

If the shoe fits

2007-10-15T07:28:00.000-07:00

I am going to talk about shoes. Abi (10 year old) has been complaining about her new shoes (size 6) that they hurt her feet. I was ignoring it hoping that she would get used to wearing tennis shoes again after spending all summer in her crocs. Well this morning 5 minutes before the bus came she was complaining again so just to see what happens I literally give her the shoes off my feet and say here try this on. What do you know they fit her! So, once again I was wrong and my 10 year olds feet have grown once again this time into my size. And yes she is wearing my shoes to school today and I guess a trip to the store will be put on the agenda for both her and I! (just went yesterday and bought shirts for her)
Will my kids feet ever stop growing and am I doomed to have all three of my girls wear the same size as me and having to share shoes with all of them. Stay tuned...........

The Critic Corner

2007-10-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

You have not asked for my opinion on all the new shows on TV but here they are anyway.
(Remember we do not have cable so this is the normal stations.)
Monday night: Hereos - lived up to all the hype and was even better this week. This will be a have to be home night.
Chuck - pretty unrealistic but funny in a quirky way
Journeyman - hard to figure out why he goes back in time and what the
old finance has to do with the time travel but the acting is
fairly decent
Tuesday night: all I caught was Law and Order SVU and it was terrible I think I am done
watching all L&O since my favorite moved to a cable network

Wed night - watched Bionic Woman Did not like it at all hard to follow and what is with the
old bionic woman turned bad, and using them to fight wars........

Thursday - Survivor I can't believe that show is still on.... What a bunch of loonies on this season
Do you ever think they would run out of people to be on that show!
CSI - OK yeah just OK it was very predicatable and slow. Maybe the season
will get better
Sunday - Desperate Housewives - Mitch and I just started watching end of last season the premiere was really good and funny. I guess you had to be watching the show for years for some of the characters to make sense but glad I am not the only one with issues.

What was your favorite show??

Clara's Birthday

2007-09-26T07:32:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Clara's 8th birthday this past Sunday. We had a taco bar and pasta salad and fruit. She wanted whoopie pies instead of cake so I baked and baked and baked pumpkin and chocolate ones. She got an mp3 player, digital camera, high school musical dolls and this nail kit and drawing books. She is becoming quite the artist.

hooton kids

2007-09-26T07:29:00.000-07:00

Aren't they the cutest kids around?? Now getting them all to look at the camera at the same time was quite a chore. In case you forgot, Clara age 8, Abi age 10, Drew age 2 and Brianna age 4.

Weekend in St. Louis

2007-09-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

We thought the weekend would never come and then it was gone.....
Some highlites from the trip:
Got upgrade on car to a PT cruiser with sunroof and satellite radio
Nice hotel with free breakfast bar with everything you can imagine including a staff memeber to make your waffles for you
Dinner by the river with yummy ribs!
Having to stand at the Cubs game (ok that wasn't the best time)
Seeing all the Cubs fans in St. Louis
Standing by the arch and seeing just how big it really is
Getting shuttle rides from the hotel to anywhere
Having a crazy driver going 70 in a 35!
Eating Papa Johns pizza until we felt like bursting
Sitting in the hot tub
The drive there and back just spending time with my husband and quietness (expect for the radio and the Cubs game!)

Brianna's first day of school

2007-09-11T08:03:00.000-07:00

The day has finally arrived! Brianna started pre-K this week! She was so excited. She said the best part was the cookies.

Sweeping the Rocks

2007-09-11T07:58:00.001-07:00

The kid's newest pasttime is sweeping the rocks. They played a whole Sat. doing this. They made up stories and created subdivisions. Our driveway is full of pathways and Clara actually wakes up and says can I go sweep the rocks? Who needs expensive toys just a broom and some rocks. Enjoy.

Dirty Laundry Burglar

2007-09-05T09:38:00.000-07:00

It is my day to vent no cute pics of the kids, no happy stories just plain old let's vent for awhile.
Just today went to get a clean towel from the cupboard and to my surprise there were no clean ones. Wait a minute I just washed towels twice this weekend. Went around to all the dirty clothes hampers (we have 3 in our house) and they were all full to overflowing. What is up with this I just did laundry. So, I decided that a burglar gets into my house at night takes my children's and husband's clothes (because I don't dirty that many), throws them in the dirt and then puts them in the hamper!
OK got that out of my system so hope you all have a nice day.
Tomorrow I will post the cute pics and happy stories

visit to brookfield zoo

2007-08-20T06:55:00.001-07:00

Decided to visit brookfield zoo in chicago this sat. suppose to be a beautiful day but it rained all day. But we still got to visit all the exhibits, see a dolphin show, great monkey exhibit inside and finally arrived home around 10 pm. The kids were exhausted and so was mom. I enjoyed the butterfly garden Mitch liked the bears who were fighting :)

look at me with a butterfly on my shoulder!! (sorry forgot to flip the pic again :(

Abi and Drew Birthday party

2007-08-20T06:52:00.001-07:00

Combined birthday party for Abi (age 10) and Drew (age 2). We had about 22 people here had chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans and fruit. Dessert of choice was dirt pudding with gummy worms and jell-o cake. Drew got lots of trains and trucks. Abi got a new chair, lava lamp and an ipod...... Thanks to all!

first day of school

2007-08-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

Abi is starting 4th grade this year. She has moved to the other side of the building and now has regular sized desks. (she was so excited)

Clara is in 2nd grade. She was excited that she knew everyone in her class and she has everything new for school in the color pink

(read more in the blog posted 3 new ones today!

Abi's New Room

2007-08-16T10:29:00.000-07:00

Abi got a room makeover for her birthday. Amy and Grandma got it all painted on a Friday night and Sat. morning. We love the color. Mitch is going to make one of the small walls a bullentin board. Don't you love the blue color!